Love the Gov?: After a comparatively serious elections campaign, Yale-NUS College’s third student council was elected on Friday, September 2. While the results weren’t released when The Octant went to press, the Presidential campaign is set to start on Monday, Sept. 5 with voting taking place three days later on Thursday, Sept. 8.

Back with a Splash: The Inter Faculty Games continue this weekend, with Yale-NUS set to compete in a number of sports. Congratulations to the international chess and road relay teams who secured second and third places respectively. Best of luck to all our athletes!

Hazed and Confused: It’s that time of year again when Singapore becomes engulfed by a thick grey smog originating from nearby forest fires. Over the week the Pollutants Standards Index (PSI) reached “unhealthy” levels and is set to do so again over the weekend according to the Air Quality Index. Free masks will be available at the college offices if the PSI exceeds 200, but let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.

Remembering Barney Bate: On Friday, August 26, a memorial service was held for Professor Bernard Bate, or Barney, as he preferred to be called. One of the founders of Yale-NUS’s anthropology major and a close friend to many at the college, Barney Bate passed away in March 2016, while on sabbatical. In his memory, Yale-NUS has established the Bernard Bate Prize which members of the community can gift donations to.

In Memoriam: Former Singaporean President S R Nathan died peacefully on August 22, after suffering a stroke in July. He was laid to rest at the University Culture Centre on Friday, August 26. Speaking on behalf of Yale-NUS, President Pericles Lewis penned an open letter to his survivors, Mrs S R Nathan and family, expressing the College’s condolences.